5th Anniversary of NACP: Inauguration of the "New Home," Vengu: A National capability to be extended across the entire country

Published: Tuesday, 10 December 2024 13:57

The 5th anniversary of the National Agency for Civil Protection was marked in its new facilities at the “Skënderbej” garrison in the capital. The event was attended by the Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, the agency’s director, Haki Çako, representatives from donor countries, and officials from institutions involved in disaster and emergency management.

Attendees began by visiting the National Operational Center for Civil Emergencies, where they were briefed on its operations. Minister Vengu emphasized the importance of establishing and modernizing the center, describing it as a key element in managing emergencies. “I want to thank the staff of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces, who, in collaboration with the NACMP, have created a national capacity here. This is not just a facility for one institution but one that serves all institutions across the country involved in disaster response and search and rescue operations. In the coming days, this facility will be audited by international regulatory bodies, and the Albanian search and rescue capacity is now at an optimal level. We are prepared not only to comply with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) regulations for such cases but also to demonstrate how these capacities have been developed to support prefectures, critical infrastructure, entities, and the Air Force.” he noted.

The minister also highlighted the agency's significant contributions to disaster response over the years and urged for its role to be further expanded nationwide. “I clearly remember all the disasters we have faced, from the earthquake to today. It is commendable that the NACMP has grown through crisis management, making it an institution at the core of the Civil Protection Mechanism with advanced technological tools. Now, it is time to extend this exemplary model in terms of organization and technology to the four regional units where the NACMP has personnel. We need to strengthen these units further, equipping them with additional capacities, tools, and equipment so this initiated model can be implemented across the country, including prefectures and municipalities.” - Minister Vengu added, also expressing gratitude to international donors.

The agency’s director, Haki Çako, stated that the National Operational Center for Civil Emergencies, in addition to operating in real-time with the Search and Rescue Center and structures at the national and local levels, will also host the Interministerial Committee for Civil Emergencies.
Stefania Vizzaccaro, Director of the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation, a key funder of the center’s establishment and modernization, expressed her satisfaction with the successful completion of the project and praised the collaboration with Albanian authorities.
The event concluded with Minister Vengu and other guests touring the new premises of the National Agency for Civil Protection, meeting with staff, and observing their daily operations.